Both the Samsung Epic 4G and the Samsung Epic 4G Touch have new kernel source up at Samsung's open source portal. The Original Epic 4G has the kernel and other open-source bits for update version EL30 ready to download, and the Epic 4G Touch has the same for version EL29.

Usually when we see source code up for grabs at Samsung, it's soon followed by an OTA update. We've heard rumors of both the Epic brothers getting one in the near future, but this seals the deal. An OTA for both phones should be coming, now it's just a matter of when. And developers -- your goodies are available at the link below.

And here's a wrinkle: Sprint's already said that it's stopped using Carrier IQ software on the server side, and it followed up by having HTC strip it from the HTC EVO 3D (and future device updates) this week. Might Sprint have had it stripped from Samsung ROMs, too? If it's that easy for one, might it be for more? Stay tuned.